How to Say "suffers" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “suffers” is “sufre” — use 'sufre' when someone or something is experiencing emotional or physical pain, discomfort, or hardship..
sufre
SOO-freh/ˈsu.fɾe/
Examples
El perro sufre cuando está solo en casa.
The dog suffers when it is alone at home.
Ella sufre mucho cuando hace frío.
She suffers a lot when it is cold.
El negocio sufre una gran pérdida este año.
The business is undergoing a great loss this year.
Usted sufre de insomnio, ¿verdad?
You suffer from insomnia, right?
Dual Role of 'Sufre'
'Sufre' is used to talk about what 'he,' 'she,' 'it,' or 'you (formal)' does right now (Present Tense), OR it is used to give a direct, informal command to 'you (tú)'.
Meaning 'Undergo'
When talking about objects or situations, 'sufrir' often means 'to undergo' or 'to sustain,' especially when describing damage or changes (e.g., 'The house suffers damage').
Confusing the Command
Mistake: “Saying '¡Tú sufres las consecuencias!' (Using the indicative form for a command)”
Correction: The informal command is simply '¡Sufre!' (using the third person singular form). The 'tú' form with the 's' is only for stating facts.
recibe
/reh-SEE-beh//reˈθiβe/
Examples
El coche sufre daños graves en el accidente.
The car suffers severe damage in the accident.
El boxeador recibe un golpe fuerte en el estómago.
The boxer takes a strong punch to the stomach.
La propuesta recibe muchas críticas de la prensa.
The proposal receives a lot of criticism from the press.
Esta parte del muro recibe todo el impacto del viento.
This part of the wall takes the full impact of the wind.
Use with Abstract Nouns
This meaning often pairs with abstract nouns like 'críticas' (criticism), 'presión' (pressure), or 'castigo' (punishment).
Confusing Pain vs. Damage
Related Translations
Learn Spanish with Inklingo
Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.